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So I’ve recently sold two of my bikes. My dirt jumping bike, and my cross country bike. I now ride cross country on my single-speed 29er, and I’m loving it.. Only problem is that the gear ratio isn’t ideal for riding day to day, and I’d really like something with drop bars.

My commute is mixed. Some road, some gravel, some single track. I used to commute on my 29er with 37c “slicks”, and they provided more than enough control – I never had a puncture either, touch wood.

I was thinking about converting my 29er to a “dingle-speed” two gear ratios, but the same number of teeth. I run a 32/20 for XC, and would probably run a 36/16 for commuting. The chain length is the same so it doesn’t need adjusting, but to be honest I’m a bit of a perfectionist with bikes. Commuting on big chunky tires seems a bit pointless, and ultimately a waste of my energy and money.

Versa VRS-8 Alfine Levers - Allows you to shift an 8-speed internally geared Shimano Alfine hub with road levers - STI style.

So, I think I’ve figured out what I really want from a commuter…

The frame and fork should be a “monster-cross” style frame (cyclo-cross with disc tabs IMO). Ideally I’d be able to tension the chain using an eccentric bottom bracket (EBB) or track dropouts. Shimano Alfine 8-speed internally geared hub on the rear, and a “whatever” QR hub up front with some light 29″ rims and my 37c tyres. Road drop bars with Versa VRS-8 levers, so I can shift the Alfine hub, STI style, without any other messy shifters around the place. The rest of the spec would probably be fair mountain bike in flavour. Crankset, pedals and saddle would be similar to my 29er. Nothing over the top, since it is a commuter after all. The one thing I can’t decide on is whether to run discs or cantilevers. I know canti’s work fine, I just don’t know if I should because I can. Certainly finding a disc specific frame is harder, I just have visions of running this bike with a 2″ wide tyre in the future for some XC fun, and Avid BB7 Road’s would go nicely on it – not to mention handle the winter better as a commuter.

I’ve been on the frame hunt for a while now but unfortunately there aren’t a huge amount of options available, especially for myself living in Australia. The Salsa La Cruz covers some of my needs, just has no way to tension the chain. I’ve considered the Forward Components EBB but to be honest I’d prefer a frame that comes built for single-speed.

Singular Peregrine - Monster-cross styling - Cyclo-cross geometry, disc tabs and eccentric bottom bracket.

The Singular Peregrine meets my needs perfectly, only I can’t justify that sort of money on a frame yet (I’m guessing around AUD$1000 by the time it’s landed here).

It’s challenging, but I suppose it’s part of the fun of building something yourself. I’ll find my frame eventually – maybe I’ll just have to make some trade-offs first.

Ok, so not the roses as such, but riding to work this morning I saw what I usually do – some very dodgy driving because someone was obviously in a rush.

I’ve always found that riding to work is an excellent way to slow down your life. The time doesn’t just fly by as much as it does when you’re driving a car. You’re actually taking things in around you, seeing the interesting, beautiful and often hilarious things that are happening in the world.

As I mentioned, this morning I saw a very near miss of a car crash. Last week I saw a motorbike try and overtake a truck on the footpath, then almost stack it into a light pole after literally skidding to a halt and letting the truck past. I know what it’s like to be behind the wheel in peak hour – frustrating. Changing lanes to pass the slow driver in front of you, having someone cut you off, and always trying to get through each light before it goes red.

Obviously this extends much further than driving a car. Slowing your life down has many positives. There is just so much going on in this world, it’s really cool to take it all in rather than being involved in it all.

A few months back I was catching up with some friends in the city for a drink after work. I was about an hour early so I just decided to grab a beer and wait for them outside on a chair in the sun. All sorts of things passed me by and it was a really enjoyable experience. Nice looking girls, those pierced goth types, a couple of homeless people all walked past. A truck did a reverse parallel park into the smallest parking space I’d ever seen! Pretty much everything I saw was interesting in some way shape or form. Maybe I should start doing that more often instead of watching TV for entertainment?

It’s been pouring for the past week, and while the rain stopped last night, this morning the cold set in. There was a frost on the front lawn which for me is a telltale sign of it being truly cold.

I’m giving myself one week to get sorted for winter. I’m a bit disorganised this year as I’ve had a few years off from commuting year-round, but now it’s time to get it all started again.

My bike is pretty much perfect for the winter commute. It’s single-speed so cleaning the drive-train is easy, and there are less parts to replace when they wear out. I have an awesome set of lights to use when I need to – two for my helmet and two for the handlebars. It’s like daytime when I use those things!

One thing I am missing though, is mud guards – known as fenders pretty much every where else in the world. I had some on an old bike that I had but sold that a few years ago. I should be able to get these by the end of the week with some luck. Fenders are the difference between being covered in crap from the road, or being clean when you get to work. Not all that “cool” but there are times to accept function over form.

Keeping warm and dry is another thing. I’m fairly well organised here, but really need some long knicks for the winter.

For those thinking about commuting during winter on their bicycle, I’d suggest the following:

• A weather proof drive-train (single-speed or internally geared rear hub)
• Mud guards (fenders)
• Quality lights to see and be seen with
• A backpack with waterproof outer layer
• Quality waterproof jacket
• Winter clothes – depending on how cold you have the options of gloves, skull cap, base layer gear, etc.

There are more things to think about, but to me these are the basics. Riding in winter is really empowering. Not being beaten by the weather makes you feel really good about yourself, but it is hard to get started. Next week I’m tackling the beast. No excuses.

After convincing four people in the office to start riding a bicycle to work, and with mum coming off of her bike a few days ago, it’s a hot topic in the workplace. I was talking to a co-worker this morning about driving to and from work and how much it stresses me out.

I enjoy driving. I consider myself to be a good driver. Safe, but able to handle myself at faster speeds and what not. With that said, I’m a lot more sensible now that I don’t have a fast car. When you don’t have the power there to use, you simply don’t need to drive fast anymore.

Put me in traffic though, and I end up frustrated, and often in disbelief at how terrible other road users are at driving. About two months ago, I sold my car and try to rely solely on my bike, and public transport. I used to work in the city a few years ago, and literally rode every day of the year. Since changing jobs, the distance has doubled and I ride far less than I’d like.

While I do have the soft option of driving (mum’s car, as she doesn’t drive it to work), I try to ride as often as I can.

Why do I ride to work? It’s relaxing. Sure, physically it can be demanding, but mentally it gives me time to think. To me, the ride is a wind down. Plenty of time to ponder my thoughts and figure out what I want from life. I can deal with things in my head so by the time that I get home I have some clarity. It gives me a lot more energy to use too.

Cycling is low-impact exercise (maybe less so when you ride like I do), and it’s great for your health and general well-being. It has been well proven that fitter employees are more productive while at work, and take less sick days during the year. It’s a win win for both the employer and the employee.

Now sure, it’s not as easy as just making the decision one day to go and ride to work. Incidentally I saw a girl riding home from the city yesterday that had obviously made that decision. Wearing a short skirt and knee high boots while riding a bike isn’t very convenient by the looks of it, but it was a sight to see. So it’s not as easy as just jumping on the bike and riding to work, but it’s not that hard to get started either.

A general list of things for riding to work include:

1. Finding a safe place to lock your bike, and getting a good quality lock.
2. Making sure you have comfortable clothes to ride in (very important during winter).
3. Finding a good route to ride (I try and stay off of main roads).
4. Having an emergency kit (multi-tool, pump, tyre levers, spare tube).

There are other things to consider, but usually they are easily fixed. Most workplaces have showers now, and if they don’t I have heard of people using baby wipes or just a sink and towel to wipe themselves down. A comfy backpack is good too, and setting your bike up to suit your situation (mud guards, panniers, lights, seat height, etc) help you to get comfortable, but this is something that will develop over time.

While fitness may be a challenge at first, it really doesn’t take long to “get up to speed” either. After riding to work the first time on a singlespeed I thought I’d made a bad decision. Two weeks later though I was riding it as easily as any other bike.

If you are sick of the rat race and want to slow your day down a little, give it a shot. Commuting by bicycle is a great way to mentally unwind, get some fitness, and save some money too. I love it, and I’ll be riding for as long as I can. Maybe even in Copenhagen next year!

So after being on a bit of a downer yesterday with my “don’t know what to believe in” mood, I got a massive dose of perspective last night.

Leaving work, I decided to ride the long way home to put a smile back on my face. The whole way home I was riding into a head wind which is fairly normal for the ride home. Usually I get about half way home and want to give up, but for some reason yesterday I just powered through the whole ride. While I was tired, I think I was enjoying the challenge for a change.

The problems of my day had been solved, or at least I’d been distracted by the awesome ride home.

My mum also rides to and from work, and we are currently living with her. After having tea with my fiancee, it was dark outside and it had just turned 7 o’clock, although not normal, mum still wasn’t home from work. I went out the front to look down the street to see if she was coming, and as soon as I opened the door she arrived. I threw a smart remark at her as I usually do – she works far too hard and always ends up riding home in the dark, without decent enough lighting (despite me giving her the appropriate lights last year). She didn’t respond like she usually does though. She was hurt.

Sure enough, she had clipped a gutter on the way home that she didn’t see and went over the handlebars, cutting her lip and chin. Obviously in shock, she didn’t realise it was a major injury and rode the rest of the way home.

After being hand balled by the medical system for a while she had the wound cleaned and it was obvious that the cut had gone right through to her jaw. For someone that had such a serious cut, she was coping really well. I was fine at first but after a while felt really tense, like I did when my fiancee was very sick earlier on in the year. My chest was tight and I just thought about the possibilities of what could happen here. My fiancee, some months later is fine, and I’m yet to find out what will happen with mum. Now that I have a clearer head it’s obvious that she will be fine, but she’ll be nursing a fairly serious cut for a while.

At around 10:30pm, I went home to pick up some clothes for her as she was staying the night. Half way home I came across a major car crash. By the looks of it, a car had ran a red light and t-boned another car at speed. Flashing lights everywhere, the bit that struck me as scary was the fact that a police officer was holding a small child. Not a good sign!

It was enough to make me think, “why do I worry?”. I’m not the sort of person that is just going to ignore untruths or corruption, but I can’t let this stuff stop me from living my life.

Last night put me in check. The game of life can be over well and truly before you know it, so we need to enjoy our lives while we can.